St. Joseph Post
Students will begin classes next week in St. Joseph for the 2024-2025 school year and there is a lot going on.
St. Joseph School District Superintendent Gabe Edgar is excited about a new tech school program. Edgar says, "I think the best thing we have going is Hillyard Tech School. We just had a ribbon cutting ceremony for our renovated dental wing."
Edgar also encourages everyone to attend another ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new simulated manufacturing facility on Tuesday, August 20.
Edgar explains, "Its more of a partnership, its all hands-on. We're going to have classroom space for welding technology, industrial equipment repair and maintenance, and precision machine."
The facility offers an open space for cross-training, as well.
Edgar notes there is a heavy focus this year on career courses. Bode, Robidoux and Benton are acting as pilot schools for the courses.
A big topic of concern for the upcoming school year is attendance. Edgar says, "We took a small decline in attendance from the 2022-2023 to 2023-2024 school years. Attendance is always a topic of discussion in our meetings."
The target goal for attendance within the district is 90%. Edgar adds, "We have a great partnership with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Juvenile Office. So we're going to continue that, and we're in hopes that we'll see an increase in attendance for the 2024-2025 school year."
St. Joseph teachers and stafff will receive a $2,750 pay increase this year, thanks to a tax levy which was approved by voters in July. Edgar thinks that will help retain teachers for the district. "We're good in all our certified areas. The past couple years, I don't think we could say that at this time. So we're excited!"
Although the district has enough teachers for the year, there is a job fair on Thursday to help hire support staff, such as paras and custodians.
Edgar notes that with the pay raise, "For example, para instructors will make about $2.50 more an hour."
The job fair will take place at the district's administration building, located at 1415 North 26th Street, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm August 15th.
Parents still have time to enroll their children for school and can do so online this year, but proof of residency is required and immunizations are needed.
Classes begin August 21st in St. Joseph.